Publishing Director, The Lancet in London

Publishing Director, The Lancet in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
RELX

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in advancing impactful scientific publishing and drive innovation.
  • Company: Join Elsevier, a global leader in information and analytics.
  • Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, health benefits, and flexible working arrangements.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of publishing while making a real difference in health outcomes.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in publishing with strong leadership and strategic skills.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.

Are you an experienced publishing expert? Do you have proven experience working with senior academic, research or clinical stakeholders, including Editors‑in‑Chief and external opinion leaders?

Location: London

About our Team

At STM Journals, we collaborate with researchers to facilitate the publication of their impactful scientific discoveries, with a focus on rigorous peer review, ethics, and reproducibility. In support of our portfolio of 2700+ hybrid and open access scientific journals, you will actively contribute to advancing science, improving health outcomes, and fostering equitable participation in publishing.

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced individual to undertake the role of Publishing Director wherein they will provide leadership across a portfolio of broad‑scope hybrid and open access journals within The Lancet Group. This role combines strategic oversight, commercial leadership and people leadership, with a strong focus on supporting Editors‑in‑Chief and driving sustainable growth.

As a member of The Lancet’s leadership team, you’ll help shape the future direction of the portfolio, identifying opportunities for innovation, new journal development and continued expansion of open access and hybrid journals, business development, and other publishing activities.

Responsibilities:

  • Portfolio and journal business management: Leadership, business development, and management of a group of broad scope hybrid and OA journals. Ensure revenue and content development strategies and plans are in place to meet our business objectives, driven by deep understanding of market trends and customer needs and effective coaching of the Editor-in-Chiefs.
  • Content development: Overall responsibility for the journal product portfolio of broad scope Open Access and hybrid titles, with emphasis on strategies and plans to support development content/quality growth.
  • Network and relationship management and development: Supporting Editor-in-Chiefs to make an immediate impact and build and maintain a strong network both with, and beyond, current advisory boards, authors and key opinion leaders.
  • Strategic development of The Lancet Group: Function as part of the Lancet’s leadership team to develop future plans for The Lancet Group, including both development of new and existing journals plus active contribution to article growth numbers and continued expansion of the OA and hybrid publication program to build overall business success.
  • Elsevier stakeholders: A PD is expected to build and maintain strong relationships with counterparts in topically related areas across STMJ, seek out opportunities for collaboration, and work together to promote overall business success.
  • Leadership and people management: Lead, engage and develop a successful team based in multiple global locations. Grow talent within the business by identifying opportunities for developing and motivating employees.

Requirements:

  • Significant experience in scholarly or scientific publishing, with a strong track record in journal or portfolio leadership and delivering against business objectives.
  • Strong strategic and commercial acumen, with the ability to set direction, identify growth opportunities and translate strategy into sustainable results.
  • Deep understanding of the evolving publishing landscape, including open access and hybrid models, and the implications for journals, authors and institutions.
  • Proven experience working with senior academic, research, or clinical stakeholders, including Editors‑in‑Chief and external opinion leaders.
  • Demonstrated leadership and people‑management capability, with experience developing, motivating, and inspiring teams in complex or matrixed environments.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and lead effectively across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
  • Undergraduate degree in a scientific area relevant to The Lancet.
  • At least 10 years’ publishing experience.

If you are interested in the role, please apply with a cover letter and CV.

Work in a way that works for you

We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organisation. With an average length of service of 9 years, we are confident that we offer an appealing working prospect for our people.

Working with us

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to help you succeed. Here, you will find an inclusive, agile, collaborative, innovative and fun environment, where everyone has a part to play.

Working for you

At Elsevier, we know that your wellbeing and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

  • Generous holiday allowance with the option to buy additional days
  • Health screening, eye care vouchers and private medical benefits
  • Wellbeing programs
  • Life assurance
  • Access to a competitive contributory pension scheme
  • Long service awards
  • Save As You Earn share option scheme
  • Travel Season ticket loan
  • Maternity, paternity and shared parental leave
  • Access to emergency care for both the elderly and children
  • RE CARES days, giving you time to support the charities and causes that matter to you
  • Access to employee resource groups with dedicated time to volunteer
  • Access to extensive learning and development resources
  • Access to employee discounts via Perks at Work

About Us

A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice.

Publishing Director, The Lancet in London employer: RELX

At Elsevier, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our generous benefits package, flexible working arrangements, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us to be part of a collaborative team that values innovation and strives to make a meaningful impact in the world of scientific publishing.

RELX

Contact Detail:

RELX Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Publishing Director, The Lancet in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the publishing world, especially those who know The Lancet. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by diving deep into The Lancet's recent publications and initiatives. Show us you’re not just familiar with our work but genuinely passionate about advancing science and health outcomes.

Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop us a quick thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you on our radar.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at The Lancet.

We think you need these skills to ace Publishing Director, The Lancet in London

Publishing Expertise
Leadership Skills
Business Development
Strategic Planning
Commercial Acumen
Stakeholder Management
Content Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your cover letter for the Publishing Director role. Highlight your experience with academic and clinical stakeholders, and show how your background aligns with our mission at The Lancet.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your leadership style! Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven growth in previous roles. This is key for us as we look for someone to lead our diverse portfolio.

Demonstrate Strategic Thinking:In your application, illustrate your strategic and commercial acumen. Discuss how you've identified growth opportunities in the publishing landscape, especially in open access and hybrid models, to help us understand your vision.

Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with The Lancet.

How to prepare for a job interview at RELX

Know Your Publishing Landscape

Before the interview, dive deep into the current trends in scholarly publishing, especially around open access and hybrid models. Understanding these nuances will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role and its challenges.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate and develop talent, as well as how you've navigated complex environments. This is crucial for a role that involves managing diverse teams across global locations.

Build Relationships with Stakeholders

Think about your past experiences working with senior academic or clinical stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you’ve built and maintained these relationships, and how you can leverage them to support Editors-in-Chiefs and drive business success.

Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

Prepare to discuss your approach to identifying growth opportunities and translating strategies into actionable results. Share examples of how you've contributed to business development in previous roles, particularly in the context of journal management and content development.